Nanaimo Buccaneers hire new head coach and gm
NANAIMO — A drastic change of course for the Nanaimo Buccaneers, who have hired a new head coach, following the most successful season in the organization’s history.
The VIJHL club has hired Trail Smoke Eaters assistant coach Curt Toneff, 23, as head coach and general manager. The surprising move follows a franchise-record 31 win regular season campaign under the guidance of second-year coach Dan Lemmon.
Bucs co-owner Phil Levesque told NanaimoNewsNOW it was a very difficult decision, which came down to needing a coach and general manager that could put in more hours.
“Dan couldn’t quit his job because he’s got a good job. It’s a decision we made, did we do it lightly? No way, because Dan was great for our organization, by far one of the best coaches we ever had.”